Gumdrops are Falling on my Head!

This fun and easy (albeit, sticky) DIY project cost me .99!  Well, $100.99 if you include the cavity I will need to have filled, but I digress...

See this jar of yummy gumdrops?

I've been staring at this jar (which is now 1/2 full) in my office for 2 weeks!  I glare at the co-worker who dared bring these in while I stuff my face with them (but only yellow and purple) and then it finally hits me on how to stop this madness... CRAFT TIME!!!

Supplies:
Gum drops
Fishing line
Scissors
Needle

Step one:  Gather supplies, dump out your gum drops, eat a few and get ready to get sticky!

Step two:  Start jabbing those cavity causers with the needle

Step three:  String up as many as you need to, as close as you want them.  If you don't use the whole bag, that's ok, you'll have leftovers to eat!

Step four:  Wash hands and hang your garland!

I couldn't decide where to hang mine... where do you think?

 

Nailed It!

Yesterday, I set out to repaint a sofa table... yesterday, it was cold... and when you pit cold vs. spray paint, cold wins.  So after sanding down the table, my numb and vibrating hands thanked me for bringing them inside for a different project.  And this project involved SHOES!

See these shoes?  I haven't worn them in years!  But since I never throw away shoes, it seems the retro/chunky heel trend has resurfaced... and so, from the depths of my closet, have these shoes.  

This project is great for shoes you find on consignment or ones you just can't toss away - up/recycle them into NEW trends.  And the trend I am DIY-ing - metallic cap toe.

Supplies:
Pair of shoes
Pencil
Nail polish (I did metallic silver)
Paintbrush (I used an angle brush)

Step One:  Draw the outline of your cap toe with the pencil.  I was able to erase and adjust to make sure they matched.  

Step Two:  Paint on the polish. You will most likely need a few coats.  I used 4 since it was a metallic silver.  Make sure you let each coat dry, just like your nails. (Note:  I did this on another pair of nude heels using hot pink polish - that took only 2 coats)

Step Three:  Once you have the desired look and coverage let them dry overnight

Step Four:  Wear with confidence!  

This project cost me $2 (nail polish)... $9 if you include the shoes purchased, on sale, 5 years ago.

Hope this inspires you to breath new life into some forgotten shoes and upcycle your way into a trendy Spring!

Where Are My Non-Pastel Peeps?

Did you know that Saturday is Daylight Savings?  No?  Me either.  Thankfully, the cashier at the coffee shop did and as I paid for my morning brew, I groggily noticed the reminder sign she hung.  

Seeing this sign means Spring is coming and that solidifies 2 things for me today - 1: deciding to not wear tights with my skirt is now a justified decision and 2: starting to put up Easter decor is A-OK!

Easter, for me, is no where near Christmas when it comes to the amount of decor I attempt to shove into my small home.  And while I am known for devouring entire packages of Peeps in one sitting, I am not known for enjoying the pastel colors that Easter is traditionally known for. No offense if you do, it's just not my cup of tea.

Every year I attempt to find neutral/non-traditional Easter decor and every year, fall short. Last year, I took matters into my own hands... I scooped up 3 foam eggs at Michaels after the holiday- scoring 3 different sizes for a total of $3 (Love 80% off).  They were originally pastel pink, blue and purple -  which translates to no, way, and Jose.

Enter Easter 2013, my kids and acrylic paint!  

My supplies:
2 kids: one 11 and one 7
Paint:  (I chose)cream, grey and chalkboard black
Brushes
3 eggs (one for each of us)

We each took a brush and a color and went to town...

 

Here is the during - you can still see some blue of the egg

It took about 3 coats of paint per egg and clearly you can use any color you want!  From here, embellish away or just leave alone.  I am still debating this last step - do I add buttons or no?  What do you think?  And while you are helping me - what the heck should I write on my chalkboard egg???  I'm at a loss for words...